Psalm 13 5

Psalm 13:5 kjv

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalm 13:5 nkjv

But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

Psalm 13:5 niv

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5 esv

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5 nlt

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

Psalm 13 verses

Psalm 13 5 Meaning

Psalm 13:5 declares a resolute shift from lament to confident faith, asserting the Psalmist's settled trust in God's unwavering loyal love. Despite present distress and unanswered prayers, the Psalmist anchors his hope in God's character. This firm trust then fuels an anticipatory, heart-felt rejoicing in God's promised and certain salvation, regardless of immediate circumstances.

Psalm 13 5 Context

Psalm 13 begins as a desperate lament, with the Psalmist, likely David, crying out, "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?" (v. 1). He describes a soul consumed by sorrow, fear of his enemies, and internal turmoil (vv. 1-2). He pleads for God to answer and enlighten him, fearing death and his foes triumphing (vv. 3-4). However, in verse 5, there is an abrupt and profound shift. It is a pivot from intense distress to absolute certainty in God's character and future action. The Psalmist moves from questioning God's presence and remembering to declaring his own established trust and future joy, based entirely on God's attributes, particularly His "steadfast love" and "salvation," culminating in a declaration to "sing to the Lord" (v. 6). This psalm exemplifies the "lament to praise" literary structure common in the Psalter, showcasing the journey of faith through tribulation to renewed hope and worship.

Psalm 13 5 Word analysis

• But (וְאֲנִי, w'ani): This opening conjunctive "But" serves as a dramatic pivot in the psalm. After the outpouring of complaint and pleading in the preceding verses, "but I" signifies a resolute turning point, an intentional act of faith distinct from the surrounding circumstances. It emphasizes the Psalmist's personal declaration and choice.
• I have trusted (בָטַחְתִּי, bātachti): From the Hebrew root bātach, meaning to rely on, confide in, feel secure, or be sure. The perfect tense indicates a settled, firm, and established confidence, not a mere momentary feeling. It speaks of a habitual, deep-seated conviction that has been deliberately placed and remains fixed. This trust is not conditional on outcome but rests on God Himself.
• in Your steadfast love (בְחַסְדֶּךָ, b'chasdekha): Chesed (חסד) is a cornerstone theological concept in the Old Testament, denoting covenant loyalty, unfailing kindness, enduring grace, and devoted love. It describes God's constant and faithful benevolence toward His people, especially within the covenant relationship. It is an active, reliable, and consistent love that does not give up or fail, forming the very foundation of the Psalmist's trust. Trusting in chesed means resting on God's faithful character.
• my heart (לִבִּי, libi): In biblical thought, the "heart" (לב, lev) is the innermost part of a person, the center of intellect, will, emotions, and moral decision-making. It represents the whole inner being, the core identity. Therefore, for the heart to rejoice indicates a deep, holistic, and authentic joy stemming from the very essence of the Psalmist's being, not merely a superficial emotion.
• shall rejoice (יָגֵל, yagêl): From the Hebrew root gîl, meaning to spin around with joy, to exult, to be jubilant. The imperfect tense here indicates a future certainty ("shall rejoice") or an ongoing, anticipated experience of exuberant joy. This joy is not present circumstance-dependent but is a confident expectation based on God's future action or character. It is an overflowing, outward expression of delight.
• in Your salvation (בִּישׁוּעָתֶךָ, bishū'atekha): Yeshua (ישועה) encompasses deliverance, rescue, victory, help, and well-being. It signifies God's act of intervention to save His people from danger, enemies, or any form of distress, both physical and spiritual. This is God's salvation, indicating divine power and purpose behind the deliverance, not human effort. The joy anticipated is firmly rooted in the certainty of God's mighty acts of salvation.

Psalm 13 5 Bonus section

The movement from lament to praise, characteristic of Psalm 13, reflects a theological progression found throughout the Psalms. It is a journey often necessitated by faith in God's unchangeable attributes. This Psalmist's declaration in verse 5 isn't wishful thinking; it's a volitional act of trust informed by prior experience and understanding of who God is. This understanding, gleaned from covenant history and divine revelation, allows faith to transcend personal feelings or observed realities. It shows that true worship is not always spontaneous; it is often a determined response to God's character in the face of hardship, choosing to focus on the eternal over the temporal. This proactive choosing to trust, despite lingering questions or pain, is foundational to living by faith.

Psalm 13 5 Commentary

Psalm 13:5 marks the critical theological and emotional shift within the lament. After questioning God's apparent absence and fearing his adversaries' triumph, the Psalmist makes a deliberate declaration of faith. His trust is anchored not in changing circumstances or hopeful thinking, but in the unshakeable nature of God, specifically His chesed – His loyal, covenant love that defines His relationship with His people. This established trust (bātachti, a perfect tense, denoting completed action with ongoing results) transcends his immediate distress. Consequently, his "heart"—his very core being—anticipates and expresses exuberant joy (yagêl), rooted in the future certainty of God's yeshua, His deliverance. This rejoicing is an act of faith, affirming God's power and faithfulness even when salvation is not yet visibly realized. The verse embodies a profound spiritual truth: authentic joy in God is derived not from the absence of problems, but from the settled conviction in God's unwavering character and His sure promise of ultimate salvation. It offers a pattern for believers to move from the depths of despair to confident worship through an intentional focus on God's steadfast love and redemptive power. This act of faith reorients the soul and empowers the individual to persevere.